Mare
An English surname derived from the Old English "mere" meaning a pond or lake.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Mare. That puts it at #50,851 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mare surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#50,851
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
410
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 410 bearers of the surname Mare in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 50851st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mare, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.3%) and Hispanic (8.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mare
The surname Mare has its origins in Italy, specifically in the region of Tuscany. It is believed to have emerged in the 13th century, derived from the Italian word "mare," which means "sea." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals who lived near the coast or worked in maritime professions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mare can be found in the Florentine Priorista, a historical document from the 14th century that lists the names of prominent citizens in Florence. In this record, a certain Gianni di Mare is mentioned as a member of the Priori delle Arti, a governing council in the city.
The name Mare also appears in the Catasto, a comprehensive census conducted in the Florentine Republic during the 15th century. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution of the surname across various Tuscan towns and villages at the time.
During the Renaissance period, the Mare family gained prominence in the city of Siena. Notable members include Guglielmo Mare (1460-1537), a renowned architect and sculptor who contributed to the design of several important buildings in Siena, including the Palazzo Piccolomini.
Another illustrious figure bearing the Mare surname was Antonio Mare (1516-1592), a Venetian painter known for his religious works and portraiture. His paintings can be found in various churches and museums across Italy.
In the 17th century, the Mare family established itself in Naples, where they became influential merchants and bankers. One prominent member was Gian Battista Mare (1635-1712), a successful businessman and patron of the arts who commissioned several artworks for the city's churches and palaces.
Moving into the 18th century, the surname Mare spread to other parts of Europe, including France and Spain. In France, a notable figure was Jacques Mare (1701-1780), a French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Église Saint-Roch.
As the name Mare continued to spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Marre, Marré, and Maré, reflecting regional linguistic differences and the influence of local dialects.
Throughout its history, the surname Mare has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, architects, merchants, and intellectuals, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the regions where it originated and flourished.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mare
Among Census respondents with the surname Mare, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.3%) and Hispanic (8.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Mare bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mare surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White78.3%
- Black or African American8.3%
- Hispanic or Latino8.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mare surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #50,851 | #50,851 | 0.0% |
| Count | 410 | 410 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Mare bearers went from 410 to 410 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #50,851 to #50,851.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mare
FAQ
Mare surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mare?
The surname Mare holds position #50,851 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mare surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mare, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.3%) and Hispanic (8.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.